Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-05-15
QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
BY THE OLD MAN.

ALBANY, TEX, May s, 1887.
To the Editor of the Gazette.
We have an argument here which we
have agreed to submit to you for
decision, and ask that you do so through
THE GAZETTE. Who was "Speranza 2"
L.
Acknowledgements" was Mrs. Lady
Wilde, the wife of DIR. Wilde of Dublin,
Ireland, and the mother of the eccentric
Oscar Wilde. She took great interest in
Irish affairs during the existence of the
Young Ireland party, and much of her
poetry is still freely circulated. She is
living at present with her son, Oscar, in
or near London.
TERRELL, TEX, May 9, 1887.
To the Editor of the Gazette.
Please kindly inform me through TIE
GAZETTE what is meant by "pigeon
English?" CD.
Answer-"Pigeon," or more properly
"pidgin English" is peculiar conglom-
meration used by American and English
traders in Chinese ports, for business pur-
poses. The origin of the word "pidgin"
is said to have been found in the manner
in which the Celestials pronounced "busi-
ness" The Cinnamon rendered it cpd
gin" The Chinese language is so diff
cult to learn that few attempt it. Most
traders and even those who spend years
in China content themselves with the
meager vocabulary of the "pidgin En-
glish."
FORT WORTH, TEX, May 10, 1887.
To the Editor of the Gazette.
What is meant by the Monroe doctrine,
and where did the term originate?
SCHOOL BOYS.
Answer-The Monroe doctrine was
first enunciated by President Monroe in
1922. 1t was after the Spanish colonies
in Mexico and South America had estab-
lished independent governments and were
recognized by the United States that
President Monroe's message was written,
in which he said that "the American con-
tinents by the free and independent posi-
tton they have assumed and maintained,
are henceforth not to be considered sub
jects for future colonization by any Euro
pean power" The words were written
by John Quincy Adams, then Secretary of
State.
LADONIA, TEX, May 10, 1887.
To the Editor of the Gazette.
Quite a number of US have dispute
about the origin of the term "bakers'
Dozen" and have decided to leave it to
you. Please answer through your paper.
DC.
Answer-"Bakers' dozen" was orgi-
naIly called the "Devil's dozen" from the
fact that thirteen witches were supposed
to sit down at the great meetings of his
satanic majesty. From this also springs
the superstitious aversion of many to sit
down to table with twelve others. The
baker was an unpopular person for a
while and the phrase was changed to ap-
ply to him.
FORT WORTH, TEX, May II, 1887.
To the Editor of the Gazette.
viii you kindly decide this point for
me to settle a dispute between myself
and number of friends. Where do these
lines occur, and who is their author:
Immodest words admit of no defence,
For want of decency is want of sense.
l claim they were written by Alexander
Pope ID some of his essays, though can
not find the lines. ILLITERATE.
Answer-You cannot find the lines in
Pope. They were written by one OF the
Earls of RosscOmmon forty-three years
before Pope was born aud occur in
poem entitled "The Modest Muse"
HOLLAND, TEX. May 20, 1887.
To the Editor of The Gazette.
Will you please inform me through THE
GAZETTE why It's that some counties, such
as Williamson and McLennan, pay their
teachers salaries In full, while other
counties, such as Bell and others, pay
their teachers only half?
The answer to this question is simple.